Topic: THE BERRIES (Read 102678 times)

vixmom · « **Reply #150 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:09:44 PM »

Quote from: George on September 06, 2005, 01:55:39 PM

And on a lighter note, it's been announced who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors: Robert Redford, singers Tony Bennett and Tina Turner, actress Julie Harris and ballerina-teacher Suzanne Farrell. Sounds like a good bunch. My dad LOVES Tony Bennett. He even performed here in Olympia a couple of years ago. My sister and I got tickets for our parents and my dad was in heaven!

Around 15 years agao when I used to volunteer at our local PBS station, Tony Bennett did a fundraising concert for the station. When the tickets did'nt sellout at the fund raising price the station offered those volunteers who "regulars" tickets at the face price. At the time my husband was an "on call " consultant for New York State's compyuuter system and he got ac all about 2 hours before showtime so he wouldn't be able to go. I had already gotten a pai of tickets fpor my parents SO I called one of the elderly ;ladies ffrom my church who Ioccassionally drove to church and asked her if she liked Tony Bennett.

"Oh I love him!!"

"Would you like to see him in concert?"

"When?"

"In an hour"

"YES!!!"

Wjem I went to pick her up she was dressed to the nines and standing on the front step waiting for me.

I don't know if I ever enjoyed a concert quite do much. First I was suprised at how powerful Mr. Bennett's voice was after all those years, secondly I was suprised that I knew every song that he sang, and third watching 85 year old Mrs. Meyers laughing and clapping and singing along.

A good night

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #151 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:10:27 PM »

An Animal Rescue EMail I just received.

Quote

I am compiling a list of individuals and shelters that are willing to take animals into their homes, shelters, and rescues. I have received a number of inquires from people in the Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts area that are willing to help out the pets of the victims of Katrina. I will be e-mailing and calling shelters in the Philly area to see if they would be able to assist the victims and their pets, when they arrive in Philadelphia.

This whole effort came to be because of the news that Philly’s mayor John Street has offered to help find housing for 1, 000 families who were victims of Katrina. I am a full time social worker and I know how the whole public housing system works and I know that a lot of places will not accept people with pets. The victims of Katrina have lost enough and should not have to lose their pets as well. Those families who will be coming to our area should be able to bring their pets and we should be able to find their pets temporary or permenant housing.

This is all new to me and is a grass roots effort that I am doing this on my own time, with my own money, and my own resources. I am looking for any guidance, advice, or help that you or anyone else with experience with animals are willing to give. Transporting with pets is also the help that I will need, once the families and their pets make it up here to Philly. I am also looking for individuals, families, rescue groups and shelters that are willing to help out the pets of Katrina that will be accompanying their owners up here to Philadelphia.

Philly is after all the city of brotherly love and now is our time to show it!

I repsonded with:

Quote

Some families may be given opportunities to relocate to Philly, but will go by Public Transportation that will preclude pets. Should that transpire, we might need a pet transport tag-team to move the animals from where-ever to Philly. Should such be needed, I could do a Bay-Bridge to Philly leg. (Or if necessary, a Norfolk to Philly leg)

der Brucer (Maybe we can fill-up Woody's lap again)

vixmom · « **Reply #152 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:11:14 PM »

Quote from: JoseSPiano on September 06, 2005, 02:04:09 PM

DR vixmom - Thank you for the Congratulations (which can never truly be belated ).

I really am very excited for you.

Drive safely,dear Jose, your trip home!

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #153 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:14:16 PM »

Quote from: vixmom816 on September 06, 2005, 10:22:20 AM

I explained that 1) We were the parents and the paycheck earners therefore we were the ones who got to make the decisions about how the money was spent and 2) She had never asked for any of those items.

These were alien concepts to these women .

Did you explain that other alien concept: holding conversations with your children?

der Brucer

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #154 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:15:42 PM »

Quote from: Stuart on September 06, 2005, 10:27:39 AM

Mea culpa. Mea Culpa. Mea maxima maxima culpa.

OK - who let the Jew into the Confessional?

der Brucer

vixmom · « **Reply #155 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:19:18 PM »

BTW I noticed the talk about "In My Life " yesterday. I happened to receive, in the mail on Saturday, a CD sampler of this show. I wasn't particularly overwhelmed, and I assume that these were the best songs meant to entice me into the theatre.

I hadn't heard of the show bit reading the little blurb about "the slightly dysfunctional story of a musician with Touretts and a girl with OCD" made me feel think that it was going to be filled with humour based on the man suddenly shouting out a string of obscene words and the woman straightening everything in sight a la "Monk"

The premise just didn't appeal to me. I don;t know if that's what the "bad word on the street" is based on or if there is something more substantial or more sinister (as BK suggested).

Oh and Jose, re: the Lemon motif... the blurb inside the cd sampler says: In My Life. When life gives you lemons ...Make a musical!

vixmom · « **Reply #156 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:22:15 PM »

Quote from: DERBRUCER on September 06, 2005, 02:14:16 PM

Did you explain that other alien concept: holding conversations with your children?

der Brucer

No, I had lost them long before then...

.

vixmom · « **Reply #157 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:22:41 PM »

Well time to go see how the vixter's first day of school was... Laters!!

Matt H. · « **Reply #158 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:28:36 PM »

Quote from: George on September 06, 2005, 01:55:39 PM

And on a lighter note, it's been announced who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors: Robert Redford, singers Tony Bennett and Tina Turner, actress Julie Harris and ballerina-teacher Suzanne Farrell. Sounds like a good bunch. My dad LOVES Tony Bennett. He even performed here in Olympia a couple of years ago. My sister and I got tickets for our parents and my dad was in heaven!

Sounds like a marvelous bunch and all most deserving of recognition.

Matt H. · « **Reply #159 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:31:55 PM »

I toyed with the idea of taking ANOTHER walk late this afternoon, but I vetoed it. It's my first day back walking, and I don't want to overdo on the first day back.

Matt H. · « **Reply #160 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:38:30 PM »

Just wanted to alert those who have some missing Disney DVD titles that Amazon is having a 50% off sale on 20 Disney titles right now. No, none of the cartoon features are here, but there are some good bargains, and not all of the Disney transfers have been done badly. TREASURE ISLAND, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, and DARBY O'GILL all look wonderful, and each of these is part of the sale.

Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/listmania/list-browse/-/26KWO571MAJQY/ref=amb_center-1_96538801_3/002-3077134-9570455

Jason · « **Reply #161 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:40:13 PM »

I think part of the negative vibe coming off of IN MY LIFE largely has to do with the infamous workshop period this show has gone through. Practically every available Equity stage actor/singer in New York has read or workshopped this show and either quit or was fired by the author/director. I spoke with the stage manager of a couple of the workshops and he said it's been "a challenge."

I can't poo-poo a show I haven't seen or heard, but from what I'm hearing on my side of "the biz," 'fings ain't wot they should be.

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #162 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:42:03 PM »

For Matt H:

I was listening to the director's commentary on the film "Collateral" - 85% of the film was shot in HDTV and he gives numerous examples of what he could capture on HDTV that he could not have done on film - he particularly emphasised the night city scapes and the depth of field obtainable when shooting an office interior with a spectacular night scene visible thru the windows.

der Brucer

PS I found the film particularly enjoyable in how well crafted it was - every discipline was well-represented in a seemlessly integrated whole.

Matthew · « **Reply #163 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:42:32 PM »

I don't understand why people bring the likes of Jason Robert Brown or even a Stephen Sondheim song to auditions - unless it's a for a show by the afformentioned composers. You'd better pray to God that the audition pianist knows the repetoire, or you're sunk. Why take that chance?

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #164 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:53:35 PM »

From the land of Strange Images:

Quote

Sep 4, 7:40 AM EDT
Thai Artist Bakes Edible 'Body Parts'
By WATCHARAPORN TAITHONGCHAI
Associated Press Writer

POTHARAM, Thailand (AP) -- Inside a dark room, realistic-looking "human body parts" are stacked on shelves and hanging on meat hooks. The place looks like a mortuary or the lair of a serial killer, but in fact, it's a bakery. What appears to be putrefying body parts are the bread sculptures of 28-year-old art student Kittiwat Unarrom.

"Of course, people were shocked and thought that I was mad when they saw the works. But once they knew the idea behind it, they understood and became interested in the work itself, instead of thinking that I am crazy," said the fine arts masters degree student.
He hopes his realistic artwork will make people ponder whether they are consuming food, or food is consuming them.

"Everyone's life is rushed nowadays, even when it comes to eating," he said. "When we eat, we don't think about our health or safety, we only think of our taste buds."
…
He now is receiving regular orders from the curious and from pranksters who want to surprise their friends or colleagues, but that's a minor sideline.
By the end of the year, Kittiwat's confectionary slaughterhouse will go on display at Bangkok's Silpakorn University. It's his final dissertation, and he hopes it will secure him a master of arts degree.
"When people see the bread, they don't want to eat it. But when they taste it, it's just normal bread," he said. "The lesson is 'don't judge just by outer appearances.'"

Have to wonder about an author with both "porn" and "Thong" in his (her?) name.

der Brucer

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #165 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:55:21 PM »

Quote from: Matthew on September 06, 2005, 02:42:32 PM

I don't understand why people bring the likes of Jason Robert Brown or even a Stephen Sondheim song to auditions - unless it's a for a show by the afformentioned composers. You'd better pray to God that the audition pianist knows the repetoire, or you're sunk. Why take that chance?

They would increase their odds by bringing their own accompanist. (I presume that's allowed)

der Brucer

Matt H. · « **Reply #166 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:01:28 PM »

Thanks for that info on COLLATERAL, DR der Brucer. I admired the movie a great deal, found it beautifully made, and I also thought it looked spectacular on DVD. I didn't listen to the commentary or watch any of the special features, so thanks for filling me in.

I wouldn't mind re-visiting this movie within the next week or so.

JMK · « **Reply #167 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:01:35 PM »

Don't get me started on what people bring to auditions.

I usually don't have any problem with JRB, for some reason I find his stuff fairly manageable. What gets my goat is when someone brings in a handwritten version of a Sondheim tune transposed to some hitherto unknown key (when was the last time you saw flats and sharps in the spelling of ONE chord? LOL).

Matt H. · « **Reply #168 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:02:35 PM »

Quote from: Matthew on September 06, 2005, 02:42:32 PM

I don't understand why people bring the likes of Jason Robert Brown or even a Stephen Sondheim song to auditions - unless it's a for a show by the afformentioned composers. You'd better pray to God that the audition pianist knows the repetoire, or you're sunk. Why take that chance?

The only Sondheim song I use at auditions is "Anyone Can Whistle."

Matt H. · « **Reply #169 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:06:19 PM »

OK, I have a living room to clean and some DVD decisions to make about tonight's viewing.

Matthew · « **Reply #170 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:12:08 PM »

As I'm sitting here doing "stuff" on the computer, my iTunes is shuffling through songs on my hard drive, which is always a fun way to listen to music. So, a song comes on from the Muppet CD, something sung by Miss Piggy I don't remember what it was. After that, something with a "hawaiian" sound popped on and I'm thinking, "Was this from a Muppet show?" So, I checked, and it was "Dancing Dildo's" from "The First Nudie Musical" It SO could have been the music from the Muppet Show. But SO not!!!!

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #171 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:20:47 PM »

SPECIAL NOTICE!

(For Larry and Vixmom)

Quote

Posted: September 6, 2005
3:44 p.m. Eastern

© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh is lending his voice to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina by performing a one-man show on Broadway next month.
Called "Rush on Broadway," the show is slated for Tuesday night, Oct. 18 at the New Amsterdam Theater in Manhattan's Times Square.

"I'm especially thrilled to be superseding 'The Lion King' for one night," Limbaugh said on the air today. "The animal-rights people are going to be upset about this, no question about it."

The Walt Disney Company owns both the theater and WABC Radio, the New York flagship station of Limbaugh's national network.

Fellow radio and television host Sean Hannity will provide the introduction for Limbaugh.

"I do these sparingly these days," Limbaugh said, "sort of like the old 'Rush to Excellence' tour that we used to do."

He expects the show to last 90 minutes to two hours.
"It goes until I decide I've said enough," he said. "Nobody's getting anything out of this, folks. All the net proceeds will go to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund."

The $77 tickets went on sale today, and are available online through Ticketmaster.com.

der Brucer (bad mouth Lion King and see what you get!)

bk · « **Reply #172 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:28:00 PM »

All CDs have been shipped. I completely lucked out at the post office - it was empty. Dinner is on, so it's Musso and Frank for me this evening. Hoo and ray.

If you want my two cents, this sending out of CDs to potential audience members is one of the stupidest marketing ploys ever. These people really need to get their heads out of their rectal cavities. I believe this practice will stop because it will backfire in almost every case.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #173 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:28:51 PM »

Quote from: DERBRUCER on September 06, 2005, 03:20:47 PM

SPECIAL NOTICE!

(For Larry and Vixmom)der Brucer (bad mouth Lion King and see what you get!)

I haven't badmouthed THE LION KING and look what I'm still getting.

Matthew · « **Reply #174 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:30:12 PM »

And the following will excite many DR's to no end I'm sure <sarcasm at it's best>

My copy the vocal selections for "The Woman In White" just arrived from amazon.uk

It's all rather exciting!

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #175 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:39:05 PM »

Quote from: Matthew on September 06, 2005, 02:42:32 PM

I don't understand why people bring the likes of Jason Robert Brown or even a Stephen Sondheim song to auditions - unless it's a for a show by the afformentioned composers. You'd better pray to God that the audition pianist knows the repetoire, or you're sunk. Why take that chance?

I tend to find myself in "JRB mode" or not. I just need to remind myself to play what I hear (rather what I've heard) rather than what I'm seeing on the page. Seeing and reading all those syncopations and after-beats can drive one to distraction.

The big problem with JRB at auditions, well, at least at SETC auditions and other ones where you're under a time limit, is that most singers want the song to go fast(er) since they're "short on time and want to fit it all in". Well! Some of those are fast enough at their real tempo, and become even more difficult if not impossible to play at faster tempos. So... As I say/remind/warn all my auditionees... "It's your audition, not mine."

I basically grew up playing Sondheim, so I don't mind when someone brings a Sondheim selection in.

The one repertoire staple that I still have to "think" about is "Mister Snow" from Carousel. The piano part in the piano/vocal score is tricky, and just doesn't fit under the fingers as easily (as I think) it should. Octaves doubling the melody in the right hand, and then basically a stride piano left hand. I'd rather play the verse to "There Won't Be Trumpets".

Tomovoz · « **Reply #176 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:46:48 PM »

I guess the vocals take up more pages than the limited music DR Matthew. Enjoy. (Seriously)

I'm controlling the excitment levels.

Matthew · « **Reply #177 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:47:53 PM »

I don't mind Sondheim either... what I do mind is those that come in with Sondheim and DON'T KNOW their music. So you're busy trying to play the music and to follow the singer.

DR Jose - I love that line "It's your audition, not mine" priceless, I must use it sometime!

Tomovoz · « **Reply #178 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:49:34 PM »

BTW DR Matthew - I do have the Brightman version of Song and Dance on DVD these days. (I would have preferred Marti Webb).

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #179 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:54:45 PM »

Quote from: DERBRUCER on September 06, 2005, 02:55:21 PM

They would increase their odds by bringing their own accompanist. (I presume that's allowed)

der Brucer

...Although, sometimes that can backfire. For instance...

At the Evita call I played a few weeks ago, a young man came in and he said he brought his own accompanist - who, apparently, had also coached him. That's no problem, I don't mind taking a break, and I still get paid whether or not I play.

Since this was sort of a callback, the men were provided with the music beforehand. They just wanted to hear part of "High Flying Adored" and "On This Night of a Thousand Stars". Well...

The young gentleman at the piano starts playing "High Flying Adored"... And I mean playing! He started off simply enough, but then started adding all these virtuosic arpeggios and chord fills, as well as some "interesting" counter-melodies and "echos". However, to accomplish some of these piano stylings he had to "gently" pull the beat/tempo ever so slightly back every now and then. Well...

The singer - his singer - followed accordingly, and seemed basically unaware that there was no definite beat underneath his singing. And he was also singing the song with the wrong acting beat/intention - which I'm assuming was the way his accompanist coached him. *The singer had also come to the piano earlier during the dance part of the audition, and sort of rhetorically asked, "Why does everyone in here knows these words but me?" -They were doing the Soldier's sequence from "Peron's Latest Flame", and everyone else did know, "She should get into her head... " Hmm... -Red Flag #1.

The gentlemen finished, and the people at the table said, "Thank you." And they left the room.

...And the pianist left his card on the piano!

Hmm...

News:

Author Topic: THE BERRIES (Read 102678 times)